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Arboretum Waterway

How well do you know the birds of the Arboretum Waterway?

Can you identify these birds commonly found in the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden? More than 135 species of birds have been observed nesting or roosting in the Arboretum.

1) Great egret (Ardea alba): A tall white bird with an impressive wingspan of about 6 feet. They hunt fish and frogs by waiting for their prey to pass before quickly striking using their long necks. They typically nest high in trees to steer clear of predators, such as raccoons.

Environmental Education

Student Leaders: Noreen Mabini

Thanks to her experiences working at the Arboretum and Public Garden, Noreen Mabini is well on her way to achieving her career aspirations of becoming a restoration specialist. As a co-coordinator for the Learning by Leading Waterway Stewardship team, the third-year UC Davis student oversees 10 undergraduate interns whose work includes renewing, maintaining, and restoring the Arboretum Waterway.

Student Leadership

Common carp could be cause of common problem in Arboretum Waterway

Carp Research in the Arboretum Waterway

Undergraduate researcher Kim Luke with the Center for Watershed Sciences is working with the Arboretum and Public Garden to conduct an experiment about how different fishes in the Arboretum Waterway may influence water quality. She is particularly interested in how one kind of fish, common carp, influence algal blooms.

Environmental Education

Arboretum Waterway Improved with Tule Transplants

Tule (Schoenoplectus acutus) offers wildlife habitat for birds and other animals, prevents erosion and adds to the aesthetic appeal of the landscape along the Arboretum Waterway.

Student Leadership

Wild Grapes in the West-end

Grape work! The barren banks on the west-end of the Arboretum Waterway are now home to wild grape cuttings, thanks to the Waterway Stewardship team.

Student Leadership

Arboretum Waterway is Cyanotoxin-Free Once Again!

Good news!

The Arboretum Waterway has recently been tested for microcystins — the primary cyanotoxin found in the Waterway in August. Results show the toxin is no longer present!

Community Engagement

Cyanobacteria Detected in Arboretum Waterway

Tests show that cyanobacteria are growing in parts of the Arboretum Waterway. These microscopic organisms can make a toxin that is rapidly lethal to dogs that ingest contaminated water.

Community Engagement

Cyanobacteria FAQ

During the Summer of 2019, we tested for and found that cyanobacteria exists in the Arboretum Waterway. Commonly found in bodies of water throughout our state, nation and world, cyanobacteria usually occur in calm, nutrient-rich bodies of water. Below are some FAQs related to the recent discovery.